The decision by ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to withdraw charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta was met with mixed reactions in Naivasha, depending on which side one was at the height of the post-election violence.

While tens of Naivasha residents took to the streets to celebrate, literally paralysing operations in the town, others went on with their activities unperturbed.

IDPs from various camps who fled to the town at the height of the violence joined in song and dance. They said the case should have been withdrawn a long time ago.

But in South Lake, where victims of the Naivasha violence reside, there was a sullen mood as residents, many of them flower farm workers, discussed the development in hushed tones. More than 50 people were killed in Naivasha and hundreds displaced during the violence on January 27, 2008.

The President had been charged in The Hague-based court over the violence in Naivasha and nearby Nakuru town. Tens of people fled Naivasha during and after the violence, some of who are yet to return.

Mwangi Muraya, a Naivasha resident, said they have been praying for the President and Deputy President William Ruto.

“This is a clear indication that the cases facing the President were political and meant to block him from contesting the elections,” he said.

Pastor Mary Mwihaki said the withdrawal was a clear indication that Kenyans could solve their problems on their own. “We know Naivasha was hardest hit by the 2007 post-election violence, but we have now reconciled and we are living peacefully,” she said.

A jubilant Esther Njeri, who is a nominated MCA, asked the ICC to also withdraw the cases facing the Deputy President and radio journalist Joshua Sang.

Njeri claimed ICC was a puppet of the West, saying African leaders must be respected.

Still in pain

Peter Mwaura from Jikaze IDP camp in Mai Mahiu said victims of the violence had forgiven each other and moved on. “We blame former ICC Chief Prosecutor Moreno Ocampo as he never interviewed the real IDPs and the charges against Uhuru were framed up,” he said.

Victims, however, said they were still in pain and were not compensated like other IDPs.

David Kilo, who lost all his personal effects, criticised the ICC prosecution for withdrawing charges against the President, saying victims of the Naivasha violence were still living in pain.

He was however quick to welcome the move saying this would give the President a chance to serve the country and address insecurity issues. “The real perpetrators of the Naivasha violence were never arrested but our prayers are that we shall never experience anything of the kind in future,” he said.

Irene Akoth, who lost a brother, said though the case had been withdrawn, they would not forget or forgive the perpetrators. She expressed bitterness, saying they were yet to get peace of mind and are still mentally tormented years after the violence.

“We now know that there is justice for the rich and not the poor. We have to move on since there is nothing we can do,” she said.

Bitter and traumatised

Earlier, former Naivasha MP Jane Kihara and a group of traders accused of planning and funding the violence came out to deny any involvement in the violence. Kihara said ICC investigators tried to frame her for the violence in Naivasha and she was still bitter and traumatised by the ordeal.

The former Environment assistant minister said the investigators went for her after she refused to be a witness against the President. “I was accused of having held several meetings with President Kenyatta in State House to plan the violence,” she said.

An emotional Kihara attributed her political downfall to the ICC case, adding that time had proven she was not involved. “This was a political case meant to lock some of us from offices but we are happy the truth has finally come out and our President is a free man,” she said.

Former Naivasha Mayor Pharis Chege, who had also been incriminated in the Naivasha violence, denied any involvement, saying those mentioned in the KHRC report were incidentally supporters of Kihara.

“We hope the charges against Deputy President William Ruto will also be withdrawn as he was never involved in the post-election violence,” he said.

The chairman of Kikuyu Council of Elders in Nakuru County, David Kigochi, accused the ICC prosecutors of witch hunt in the case.